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Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” in Forming Harmony of Multicultural Society

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Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” in Forming Harmony of Multicultural Society Unconsidered Ancient Treasure, Struggling the Relevance of Fundamental Indonesia Nation Philosophie “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” in Forming Harmony of Multicultural Society Fithriyah Inda Nur Abida, State University of Surabaya, Indonesia Dewi Mayangsari, Trunojoyo University, Indonesia Syafiuddin Ridwan, Airlangga University, Indonesia The Asian Conference on Cultural Studies Official Conference Proceedings 0139 Abstract Indonesia is a multicultural country consists of hundreds of distinct native ethnic, racist, and religion. Historically, the Nation was built because of the unitary spirit of its components, which was firmly united and integrated to make up the victory of the Nation. The plurality become advantageous when it reach harmony as reflected in the National motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”. However, plurality also issues social conflict easily. Ever since its independence, the scent of disintegration has already occurred. However, in the last decade, social conflicts with a variety of backgrounds are intensely happened, especially which is based on religious tensions. The conflict arises from differences in the interests of various actors both individuals and groups. It is emerged as a fractional between the groups in the society or a single group who wants to have a radically changes based on their own spiritual perspective. Pluralism is not a cause of conflict, but the orientation which is owned by each of the components that determine how they’re viewing themselves psychologically in front of others. “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” is an Old Javanese phrase of the book “Sutasoma” written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of the Majapahit sometime in the 14th century, which literally means “Diverse, yet united” or perhaps more poetically in English: Unity in Diversity. The book describes how the Nation in the past, spawned a great civilization with the diversity as one of its characteristics. This historical philosophy is a valuable treasure to establish the ideal life of the Nation. However, as time goes by, it is barely abandon and lost its meaning. Throughout Indonesian history, nationalism dialogue and religious pluralism became the important things that protect the diversity of the Nation. With its’ fluctuative relations, it is not an easy process to have the harmonious in diversity, but it has to be done, to evoke ancient glory of harmonious diversity in the global era. Keywords: Multicultural, Social Conflict, Religion, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. iafor The International Academic Forum www.iafor.org Introduction Indonesia is a multicultural country consists of hundreds of distinct native ethnic, racist, and religion. Historically, the Nation was built because of the unitary spirit of its components, which was firmly united and integrated to make up the victory of the Nation. For centuries Indonesia had lived with different societies, cultures, ethnics and various religions (Braddell, 1936). Being a nation of multicultural society, Indonesia has learned to live in differences hence harmony in diversity. The plurality become advantageous when it reach harmony as reflected in the National motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”. Plurality is a potential treasure for Indonesia. It presents the images of Indonesia’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. Its various perspectives, historical experiences, and local wisdoms are the aspects that can strengthen the nation unity. However, plurality also issues social conflict easily when mistrust, prejudice, and jealousy arise in the society. Multicultural society shaped from distinguishes social identity such as different religions, ethnics, professions, and social backgrounds which is unique and different from others. Indonesia keeps on processing to weave the character and identity of its culture. However, the most important thing is the awareness of the consequences of social problems such as stability and social harmony and identity competition in a social background. Ever since its independence, the scent of disintegration has already occurred. However, in the last decade, social conflicts with a variety of backgrounds are intensely happened, especially which is based on religious tensions (Ali, 2003). The conflict arises from differences in the interests of various actors both individuals and groups. It is emerged as a fractional between the groups in the society or a single group who wants to have a radically changes based on their own spiritual perspective. Pluralism is not a cause of conflict, but the orientation which is owned by each of the components that determine how they’re viewing themselves psychologically in front of others. Conflicts that happen in Indonesia are based on various backgrounds or themes, some of them are based on religions (Bertrand, 2004). In the last couple years, several riots and conflicts has happened in various regions in Indonesia. Some of them happened in a big scale and occur in a long time, such as riots in Ambon (1998), Poso (1998), Maluku Utara (2000), and several riots in a small scale such as a conflict between local villagers with Ahmadiyah(Cikeusik, 2011), Church construction (Bogor, 2011), and conflict between Sunni and Syiah (Sampang, 2012). The conflicts happened not only among different religions but also between the members of the same religion who have different theology and practices. Regardless ofwhethersocialconflictdrive by political interest or economical aspect from a particular group; faith differences derived from a different interpretation and analysis on the religion sources. Often, religion used as a reason for one’s particular group to discredit another group(Wahid, 1998). History and Primordial Wisdom Indonesia isan archipelagic country that has interesting geographical position.The archipelago's location has played a profound role in economic, political, cultural, and religious developments. For More than a thousand years ago the archipelago had served trading network and destined to play an important role as a transition area and a meeting ground for people around the world (Cribb, 2000). Historical records that the geographical position of Indonesia took an important route connecting Asia with the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe. D.H. Burger says (1960:15) that the traffic starts from the Northern coast of Sumatra alongthe Eastcoast,continuestothe Southseaof Java. The voyages to West head to Benggala andNorth towardChina. This chain of route is part of the famous series of trade known as the Silk Road. This trading routes leads to the entrance of various cultures andcredence’s to the Indonesian society.These wide ranges of cultures and beliefs are easily blended and adapted with the local culture. Furthermore, the original indigenous cultures have been enriched by the complex cultural mixture from different countries. The easily process of adaptation and syncretism of the new influences are the proof of the Indonesian’s liveliness and openness.The original indigenous cultures of Indonesia is very adaptable, as Soekmono (1961:10) says that the origin of Indonesian culture give a space for every new influences and values that comeas long as it is not contradict the original culture. This connection shaped Indonesia into the multi-ethnic and religiously diverse nation that we see today. The geographical position of Indonesia not only gives a huge impact of the bridges of cultural and commercial exchangesbut also brings a significant factor to the development of the greatest empires in Indonesia. Two biggest kingdoms that hold hegemony in south Asia are Srivijaya and Majapahit Empires. In the 7th century, the powerful Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya arose on Sumatra. It controlled much of Indonesia until 1290, when it was finally conquered by the Hindu Majapahit Empire from Java (Groneveldt, 1960). Majapahit influence is considered to be one of the greatest and the most powerful in the history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. This empire reached the height of its power and influence under the guiding hand of the Prime Minister Gajah Mada which also served as one of the most influential empires in the Indonesian history. Both Srivijaya and Majapahit kingdomsare the center of civilization of that time which served as bridges for cultural and religious diversity (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam).(Collins, 2005; Fatimi, 1963; Ricklefs, 2005). The plurality of religious traditions and cultures is the characteristic of Srivijaya and Majapahit kingdoms. The spirit of tolerance and acceptance is an essential element in the foundation of the two kingdoms. The cultural narration “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” written by Mpu Tantular in the Majapahit reign shows the plurality in unity. The word means“We are of many kinds, but we are one” or as literally translated “Unity in Diversity”. It expresses the profound reality of a pluralistic society in which a strong desire to achieve unity among heterogonous religions, ethnic groups, and cultures is prominent. Rahmat Subagya (2002: 15) maintains that the symbol “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” contains a philosophy based on a synthesism of two reciprocal poles namely plurality and unity. This cultural narration describes not only how the nation lays the great civilizations in the past, but also portraits how the nation had lived in a pluralism and multicultural society,where different religions and cultures live in harmony; where diversity is celebrated in everyday life. This evidence shows that the values of tolerance and acceptance arehighly respected and become the archetype of the Indonesian
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